Doing the Right Thing on Immigration Issue

I have mixed emotions about Texas adopting an immigration law similar to Arizona. There is no denying Texas needs to do something to fix illegal immigration plaguing our state, but we need to be fair.

Arizona's SB1070 bill has good intentions. The state wants to stamp out the financial burden and crime caused by illegal immigration. However, this new law has civil rights violation lawsuits written all over it! The law specifically states it does not allow police to demand identification from individual without cause or to solely deport someone.....YEAH RIGHT! Who is Arizona kidding?! Whoever wrote that clause has clearly NEVER been racially profiled. This law gives police a free pass to harass any and all Hispanics fitting this description anytime they choose. For non-minorities who have never been harassed by a police officer having a bad day for only being Black or Hispanic, this might be hard to believe. This happens daily throughout the U.S. The profiling concern is one of the main reasons behind the outcry and boycott of Arizona. What this now means is everyone fitting that profile must have their immigration papers on them at all times or possibly be detained or deported. That is not right!

One of the arguements from those who agree with the Arizona law are complaining about paying for Medicaid and welfare for these illegal immigrants, but that is not exactly true. Remember, the most recent 'Texas on the Brink' update showed Texas ranked last in providing welfare to our residents, so the number can't be too outrageous for undocumented immigrants, that's a myth.

Additionally, I just flat out don't buy the argument that illegal immigrants are taking our jobs....really?! They are working the low-skilled, low-paying jobs our native born Americans are too good for. Let's be honest, American's are too good to work fast food, so you think they will work construction in Texas' 100+ degree?!

Yes, something needs to be done about this issue. All immigrants should know how to speak English, no one should be allowed to break the law and live here without paying taxes. But, let's do the right thing for undocumented immigrants in good standing who have been here for years, let them pay a fine and become legal, tax-paying citizens. Isn't Texas going broke...anything will help!

The last thing we need is another badly written piece of legislation. We need to fix the immigration system as a whole. It's old and broken and this issue can no longer stand to be put on the back burner. At the end of the day, we have to remember that these are human beings, just like our ancestors. How soon we forget, we are ALL decedents from immigrants.

Texas Lends a Hand to Gulf Clean-up

Texas is lending a helping hand to our Gulf Coast neighbors to assist with the oil spill clean-up. Jerry Patterson, Texas Land Commissioner, has been closely monitoring the spill and said Texas is ready to do whatever is needed to help. The spill was caused by a massive explosion from an offshore drilling rig in the Gulf of Mexico. As of Monday, 5/3/10, the damaged rig is leaking 5,000 barrels of oil per day. Efforts to manage the spill by controlled burning and attempts at plugging the main break before it hit the coast have failed. The oil slick is threatening hundreds of species of fish, birds and other wildlife along the Gulf Coast, one of the world's riches seafood grounds, with shrimp, oysters and other marine life. This potentially can harm human health, our beaches, and fisherman's livelihoods.
Patterson said the oil spill is not threatening Texas beaches, but Texas could possibly see small tar balls, which are not pretty, but it's not harmful. Our great state is sending in experienced oil spill clean-up crews and knowledgeable wildlife specialist.
This is great... I really like the fact that Texas is sending resources to help with this disaster. Texas just stepped right in without delay regardless of fault, whose picking up the bill, debating if drilling is right or wrong, Republican vs Democrats, or whatever else could be argued before actually doing something. I'm willing to bet that countless tax payers dollars will be spent on Congressional hearing, finger pointing, and blame placing on the cause of this disaster. But really, all that drama needs to be put on the back burner. Protecting our environment is a priority.
I'm proud of Texas for stepping in to help out with the clean-up. Just another reason to love our great state.